Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Airmap 100 vs 500

Greetings,
I have been following the discussion relating to the purchase of the airmap 500 closely, and yes, Avionics West does have the unit for $299. I currently have the airmap 100 but due to the fact that it is very difficult to get the proper lighting on the unit, in the cockpit, it is very hard to read in many day light conditions. Most of the time I have the unit in my hand to find a position that will illuminate the screen sufficantly to read the screen. That of course makes the yoke mount useless except as a place to put the unit when not in use.
My question, has anybody been able to make a comparision as to whether the Lowrance 500 has made an improvement with this readability problem.
If they have, I will be replacing my 100 with the 500.
Wil
Stoughton, WI

Mr. Wil Venske:

Will, I don't know anything about the 100; however, the 500 works perfect in our plane. I made a night flight on Monday with the back light in the lowest position. Normally, during day flight, I'll shut the back light feature off. I don't know if you've seen how I mounted my 500 on the left column, but this sure is a handy place for it.... for a guy with bi-focals like me, I can see it very well.

Hope the information helps. Herb Rose, N5793E; KZER

I have an Airmap 500 but have not had it that long.
I have used it on only a couple of flights and think the
display is easier to see than the 100 I had before.
Shade and darkness should be no problem with the back light on.
In direct sunlight the only problem is the light shining off
the face of the unit. The display is still very readable.
The font size is larger than my old 100 and the updates cost about $35
I think, maybe cheaper if you get a yearly subscription.
Some of the functions take a little geting use to but I think
that would happen changing from one model to another anyway.
I kept my Airmap 100 just incase but so far I like my 500.

I just ordered the Lowrance 500. I finally said the heck with it and bought it for $299, it sounds like a great deal so I got it. I guess I'll use my Airmap 100 for a backup. I'll let you know how it compares with the 100 when I get it.

P.S. Thanks Greg for sending me your disk for the 100. I will send it back probably Monday.

Wil, I had a 100. Same problem with lighting. The unit was nearly useless to me because of it. I sold it after a few months and bought the 500. If you plug the 500 into aircraft power so you can keep the backlighting on all the time you will NEVER have a readability problem under ANY conditions. The new backlight technology is perfect. The 500 is a little less user friendly (extra steps required for some of the basic functions...very dumb!) but you get used to it. The backlighting more than makes up for the inconveneince. Buy it, you'll like it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hi Dan,
Thanks for the taking the time to write a short but to the point evaluation and for taking the time to write it. It's exactly the type of information that I am looking for. I will be ordering my 500 today.
Wil
Stoughton, WI

All of the advantages to owning a 500 are true, I'm sure!

The disadvantages to not owning any GPS are also true!

The disadvantages of being financially disadvantaged are a bigger truth!

I may be a few years behind the norm, but to me, my 100 is a BIG advantage over what I had (nothing)! I was taught to navigate the airways using morse code. GPS of any flavor is a vast improvement! But, I also believe in buying the best you can afford, as long as it suits your needs. Go for it!

I just received my Airmap 500 yesterday and was playing with it last night. I find what Dan said to be true. One thing I really like is how light it is and it is quite a bit smaller than the 100. Some of the screens have changed but I have found that a lot of the same information is there. The screen that Greg referenced has changed a bit, but some of the information is still there. They took the arrow off and put on the HSI screen. The track, crs, gs, distance, eta, and added longitude & latitude square are on that screen. I haven't flown with it yet. So I will post more later.

Thanks Mike, anticipating your thoughts after you fly w/ it.

Got my 500 a few days ago too. Wow it's so light. The 100 is a brick compared to this, and only 2 AA batteries compared to 4 in the 100. I played with it a while and I like the menus and the display on the 500. I can't wait to get home and fly with it.